Senior Media Relations Manager

Murray McIntosh Associates Ltd; Pulborough; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A utilities company is seeking a Senior Media Relations Manager to lead their press office and manage media engagement during a crucial period. The role requires significant experience in crisis communications and stakeholder engagement. The successful candidate will develop media strategies, manage reputational risks, and advise senior leaders. The position offers a car allowance, a bonus scheme, pension contributions, and a hybrid working model with two days onsite.

Benefits

£400 per month car allowance

Bonus scheme up to 10%

Pension contributions up to 11%

Hybrid working (2 days onsite per week)

Comprehensive benefits including health cash plan

Qualifications

• Significant experience in media relations and crisis communications within a regulated organization.
• Proven ability to operate in challenging media environments.
• Strong gravitas and judgment advising senior leaders.
• A proactive, strategic approach to media handling.
• Experience leading or mentoring media professionals.

Responsibilities

• Lead media relations and press office function, setting strategy.
• Act as a trusted adviser to the CEO and Executive Team.
• Build relationships with regional and national journalists.
• Proactively manage reputational risk and media issues.
• Lead crisis and issues management activity.

Skills

Crisis communications

Stakeholder engagement

Media handling

Reputational risk management

Job description

We have partnered with Southern Water to appoint a Senior Media Relations Manager at a pivotal point for the organisation and the wider water sector. This is a high‑profile role leading the press office function and shaping media engagement during a period of heightened scrutiny, regulatory change and organisational transformation.

The role requires a confident, credible media professional with deep experience of crisis communications, senior stakeholder engagement and proactive media handling in complex, highly regulated environments.

The Role

• Lead Southern Water's media relations and press office function, setting strategy and overseeing reactive and proactive media engagement.
• Act as a trusted adviser to the CEO and Executive Team, briefing ahead of interviews and recommending which media opportunities to pursue or decline.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with regional and national journalists, with particular emphasis on South East regional media.
• Proactively manage reputational risk, anticipating media issues and ensuring accurate, balanced coverage.
• Lead crisis and issues management activity, including rebuttal and correction of inaccurate reporting.
• Work closely with Public Affairs and Stakeholder teams to ensure alignment across external affairs.
• Line manage and develop the press office team, setting clear standards and providing firm, constructive leadership.

About You

You will bring:

• Significant experience in media relations and crisis communications, gained in a high‑profile, consumer‑facing or regulated organisation.
• Proven ability to operate in challenging media environments, where scrutiny and pressure are constant.
• Strong gravitas and judgement, with confidence advising senior leaders and challenging journalists when required.
• A proactive, strategic approach to media handling rather than purely reactive press office delivery.
• Experience leading or mentoring media professionals and maintaining high professional standards.
• An understanding of how political and regulatory dynamics influence media coverage.

Desirable

• Experience within utilities, infrastructure, transport, energy or similar regulated sectors.
• Exposure to financial communications, remuneration scrutiny or environmental issues.
• Previous experience working in journalism or broadcast media.
• Established regional media relationships (South East).

Why This Role

This is a rare opportunity to step into a senior, influential media role with real impact. The successful candidate will be central to how Southern Water engages with customers, stakeholders and the media at a critical time for the organisation.

The role offers visibility, responsibility and challenge in equal measure and will suit someone motivated by complexity rather than comfort.

Package & Benefits

• £400 per month car allowance
• Bonus scheme up to 10%
• Pension contributions up to 11%
• Hybrid working (2 days onsite per week - Monday & Tuesday)
• Comprehensive benefits including health cash plan and employee assistance programme